Vending machine



y 1929. c. A. BUTLER 1, 13,466

VENDING MACHINE Filed 001:. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 11. Ba tier,

BYZ :l 7

A TTORNE Y.

May 14, 1929- c. A. BUTLER VENDING MACHINE.

Filed Oct. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYZ.

May 14, 1929.

c. A. BUTLER 1,713,466

VENDING mcnnm Filed Oct. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 13 7 vz I HI 1 I"! 78 .97 89 l -aa 91 82 INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

- Patented May 14, 1929.

CLYDE A. BUTLER, O! COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.

VENDING MACHINE.

Application filed October 29, 1927. Serial No. 229,875.

This invention relates to a combined, storing, cooling and vending apparatus designed primarily for the storing, cooling and vending of bottled beverages, but it is to be understood that an apparatus in accordance with this invention may be employed for any purposes for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an

apparatus of the class referred to for storing and cooling bottled beverages of the same or of different characters or flavors and for selectively vending a bottled beverage, when cooled, of the desired character or flavor.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efiicient in its use, conveniently operated for vending the cooled articles stored therein, readily assembled, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings .wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a storing, cooling and vending apparatus for bottled beverages in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 4 is a front elevation with the lower front closure removed.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional View of the bottle slide.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a delivery member connected to a conveyor therefor.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the coin controlled releasing mechanism.

Figure 10 is a section on line 1010 Figure 4;.

group and for discharging successive Figure 11 is a fragmentary view of the ad usting bar and its operating means.

Figure 12 is a section on line 12-12 Figure 8.

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view of a modified form of apparatus.

Figures 14 and 15 are res ectively front elevation and in top plan of details of the modified form. Referring to Figures 1 to 12 of the drawings the apparatus is illustrated for receivin and storing four separate groups of bottled beverages for the purpose of coolin each y the each group. It is to be apparatus can be set up in a manner to store and cool a greater number of groups or a lesser number thereof. The bottled beverages of the several groups can be of the same character and flavor or each group of a different character or flavor than with respect to the other groups. The bottled beverages of one group are vended independently of the other grou s or in other words the bottles of the severa groups cannot be discharged simultaneously, but the bottles of a selective group are successively discharged. However, it does not require the discharging of all the bottles of one roup before delivering or discharging a ottle from any of each group are disposed horizontally and vended from the apparatus in 'such position.

The apparatus comprises a housing formed of a bottom 1, a front wall 2, a pair of side walls 3, 4 each provided at its rear with a vertical extension 5, a rear wall 6 of a height equal to the height formed by combining the extension 5 with a side wall, a top closure 7 extending forwardl from the upper end of the rear wall 6 an connected to the upper end of the extensions 5, a top or table or platform 8 formed with an opening 9 and with the top 8 secured to the upper ends of the side walls 3, 4 and a frame 10 which is secured to the closure 7, extensions 5 and top 8. The rear wall 6 is secured to the side walls and the extensions thereof. The front wall 2 is removably connected to the side walls, top 8 and bottom 1.

The bottom, front wall, side walls, top 8 and rear wall 6 provide a cooling space or bottled beverages of understood that the chamber 11. The chamber 11 at the rear of of the other groups. The bottles its top opens into a chamber 12 formed by the rear wall 6, extensions 5, closure 7 and frame 10 in connection with a hinged door 13 which is carried by and seats within the frame 10. The door 13 carries a knob 14 so'that it can be swung to open and closed position when desired. The opening 9 is normally closed by a hinged lid 15 provided with a knob 16. The lid 15 is hinged as at 17 to the rear of the top 8 and seats within the opening 9 and provides means whereby access can be had to a removable receptacle 18 which provides a chamber 19 for the reception of a refrigerant, such as a block of ice 20. The receptacle 18 is suspended from hangers 21 supported from the inner face of the top 8.

Secured within the cooling chamber 11 is I a series of slides, as shown four in number and indicated at 22, 23, 24 and 25.- Each of the slides is of channel shaped cross section and has the sides thereof formedwith inwardly extending flanges 26 throughout. The slides are curved and all are of like curvature and of the same length and the slides extend from the bottom of the chamber 12 and through the chamber 11 to a point a v tom of a slide and projects forwardly from said wall. Each slide is to receive a group of bottles, each containing a beverage, and with the bottles of the group disposed horizontally or transversely with respect to the slides. The bottlesof each group are indicated at 29. The slides are open at their tops and upper and at their lower ends and the bottles are supplied to the slides from the upperends thereof through the chamber 12 when the door 13 is swung to open position.

The slides abut against each other, see Figure 4, and the lower end of the bottom of each slide is formed with a pair of spaced notches 30 to provide clearances for the arms of a delivery member when the latter picks up a bottle to be discharged or vended.

A series of delivery members or elements associate with each slide and each of said members consists of a bar 31 provided at each end with a depending outwardly curved arm 32. The arms 32 are arranged in spaced alignment and are sufficiently spaced so as to support a bottle 29 in the manner as shown in Figure 7. Each set of delivery members is carried by a vertically disposed. conveyor 33' consisting of an endless belt of the link type and each conveyor is independently operated. The delivery members or elements of each set are secured in spaced relation with the associated conveyor 33 and project laterally from each side of the conveyor. The conveyors are vertically disposed.

The conveyor which associates with the slide 22 is operated from a pinion 33 and it travels over an idler pinion 34. The conveyor which associates with the slide 23 is operated from a sprocket pinion 35 and travels over an idler pinion 36. The conveyor which associates with the slide 24 is operated from a sprocket pinion 37 and travels over an idler pinion 38 and the conveyor which associates with the slide 25 is operated from a sprocket pinion 39 and travels over an idler pinion 40.

The idler pinions 34, 36, 38 and 40,-are fixed to a shaft 41 which has its ends journaled as at 42 in bearings secured to the inner faces of the side walls 3, 4 a substantial distance forwardly of the lower ends of the slides; The driving pinion 33 is carriedby a shaft 43 which has its inner end journaled in a bearing 44 secured to the upper portion of the inner face of the side wall 3 and which is arranged in alignment with a bearing 42. The shaft 43 extends through the side wall 4 a substantial distance therefrom and that portion of the shaft 43 which extends from said wall 4 is indicated at 45. The pinion 35 is carried by the inner end of a shaft 46, which is mounted on the shaft 43 and said shaft 46 extends .from and through the wall 4 and the projecting portion thereof is indicated at 47. The pinion 37 is carried on the inner end of a shaft 48 and which extends through and projects from the wall 4 and its projecting portion is indicated at 49. The pinion 39 is carried on the inner end of a shaft 50 which extends through a bearing member 51 secured in the wall 4 and said shaft 50 projects a substantial distance from said bearing member 51 and its projecting portion is indicated at 52. The shafts 46, 48 and 50 are tubular. The shaft 46 extends through the shaft 48 and projects outwardly therefrom. The shaft 48extends through the shaft 50 and projects outwardly therefrom. Mounted on the ends of the projecting portions 45, 47, 49 and 52 of the shafts 43, 46, 48 and 50 respectively are pinions 53, 54, 55 and 56 respectively. The pinions to 56 inclusive are arranged in spaced relation. The pinions 53 to 56 are arranged within a receptacle 57 which is secured to and projects laterally from the side wall 4 of the housing. The pinions 53 to 56 inclusive, coact with a means to bepresently referred to, to provide for selectively operating any one of the shafts 43, 46, 48 and 50.

The means which associates with the pinions 53 to 56 inclusive for the purposeof selectively operating the shafts 43, 46, 48 and 50 comprises a shaft 58, which is j ournaled in a bearing 59 secured to the outer face of the side wall 4 and within the receptacle 57. The shaft 58 projects outwardly from the outer side wall of the receptacle 57, as at 59 projecting portions 45, 47, 49 and 52 of theshafts 43, 46, 48 and 50 respectivel Keyed to the shaft 58 so that it will bod il therewith, as well as being capable o adjustment lengthwise of said shaft 58 is a pinion 63 adapted to selectively mesh with any one of the pinions 53, 54, 55 and 56 for the purpose of rotating that shaft which is associated with the driven pinion. Fixed to the shaft 58 is a cam 64, formed with a shoulder 65 in its edge. The cam 64 is somewhat elliptical in contour. Fixed to the shaft 58 is a ratchet 66, engageable by a pivoted dog 67, carried by a pair of adjustable headless screws 68, 68, carried by a bracket 68" secured to the inner face of the wall 61 of the receptacle 57. The screws 68 project outwardly through the wall 61. The pawl 67, associates with the ratchet 66 to prevent back rotation of the shaft 58. The shaft 58 is provided with aslidable grooved collar 69 which is fixed to the pinion 63 and a means to be presently referred to, associates with the collar 69, for shifting the pinion 63 lengthwise of the shaft 58 to selectively engage and operate any one of the pistons 53, 54, 55

and 56.

Coacting with the collar 69 is a; setting mechanism for the pinion 63 and said mechanism consists of a longitudinall ,shiftable bar 70 having the inner portion 0 one side edge toothed as at 71 to provide a rack. Meshing with the rack 71 is a pinion 72, carried on the lower end of a vertical shaft 73, the latter extending through the top 8 and also through an indicator disc 74. See Figure 12. The disc '74 is fixed to the top 8 and is provided with a series of indications corresponding in number to the number of slides and said indications are arranged in spaced relation and are designated 75. See Figure 3. The upper end of the shaft 73 carries an operating handle 76. The lower end of the shaft 73 carries a retaining collar 77 for the pinion 72. The outer end of the bar 70 is formed with a right angularly disposed arm 78, which merges into a depending vertically disposed arm 79 provided with a nose 80 projecting towards the gears 53 to 56.

Formed integral with the arm 79, is a right angular extension 81, which merges into a yoke 82- projecting towards and overlapping the collar 69. Formed integral with the lower end of the arm 79 and positioned below the extension 81 is an arm 83 disposed in parallelism with respect to the axis of the rotate\ gears 53 to 56 and said arm 83 is formed with a right angularly disposed nose 84 opposing and positioned in alignment with respect to the nose 80. The noses 80 and 84 enga e with certain of the pinions 53 to 56 when t e pinion 63 engages one of the pinions 53 to 56 for the purpose of arresting rotation of those pinions which the noses engage. It will be assumed that the pinion 63 has been shifted to engage the pinion 54 and when pinion 63 is in such position the nose 84 engages pinion 55 and the nose 80 engages pinion 53.

When shaft 58 is revolved the pinions 53 and 55 will locked, pinion 54 operated and shaft 46 will be rotated carrying the driving pinion 35 therewith, whereby the conveyor which associates with the slide 23 will be operated, so that one of the lifting elements carried thereby will engage a bottle 29 to move it from slide 23 and carry it upwardly in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 6. The bottle is carried over pinion 35 and delivered or vended from the'apparatus throu h a deflecting and receiving means for t e bottle and which will be presently referred to. The bar 70 is shifted the required distance, on the operation of the shaft 73. The required distance which the bar 70 is shifted can be ascertained by reference to the disc 74 with the indicators thereon and the handle 76 moved to the selected indication and the rod or bar 70 on its movement will provide for pinion 63 moving the desired distance to selectively engage one of the gears 53 to 56 for the purpose of operating the apparatus to vend or deliver a bottled beverage.

The front wall 2, near its upper end, is formed with a series of delivery openings, corresponding in number to the number of the slides, and said openings are indicated at 85, and each of which is normally closed by a hinged door 86. Secured to the front wall 4 and common to the opening or openings 85 is a receiver 87 to receive the vended or delivered bottle 29 and extending rearwardly from the receiver 87 is a deflecting or directing element- 88 which receives the bottle from a delivery or lifting member. The directing or deflecting means 88 is slotted to provide a clearance for the downward movement of the delivery or lifting member after it has discharged the bottle therefrom. See Figure 6.

The apparatus includes a coin controlled releasing mechanism and which locks the apparatus from operation until a coin has been inserted in the apparatus and such mechanism released. The coin controlled releasing mechanism includes the cam 64, a lever arm 89, pivoted intermediate its ends upon a pair of headless adjusting screws 90, 91 carried by a pair of arms 91' formed on the bracket 68". One end of the arm 89 is provided with a coin receiving pan 92 and its other end with a nose 93. Secured tothe -lever 89 is an angle shaped arm 94 carrying a weight 95, the latter being adjustable, on the arm 94. The arm 94 normally tends to maintain the nose 93 and the lever arm 89 in engagement with the cam 64. The normal position of the lever arm 89 is with the nose 93 opposing the shoulder 65 of the cam. The top of the receptacle 57 is provided Wlth a. coin slot 96 which communicates with a coin chute 97 arranged to discharge the coin in the pan 92. With reference to Figure 8, the normal position of the coin controlled releasing mechanism is illustrated and the nose 93 of the arm 89 abuts against the shoulder 65 on the cam 64 and the weight arm 94 abuts against the edge of the cam 64. WVhen the coin is inserted in the slot 96 and is conducted into the pan 92, the lever arm 89 is shifted in a manner whereby the nose 93 will clear the pan 64 and when the shaft 58 is rotated, the cam 64 is carried therewith and the cam 64 riding against the arm 94 will maintain said arm in the full line position shown in Figure 9. As the cam 64 continuously rotates the lever arm 89 will lower until the nose 93 engages the shoulder 65 under such conditions operation of the shaft 58 will be arrested.

The receptacle 18 is provided with openings 97 for the passage of the drippings from the chamber 19. The lifting or delivering members are of a length less than the width of the slides.

The form of apparatus shown in F gures 13, 14 and 15 is of the same construction as that shown in Figures 1 to 12. with this exception that the slides are of different form and retain the bottles vertically and that the bottles are delivered in an upright position from the slides through the top of the housing. The apparatus shown in Figure 13 ineludes a guide which associates with a lifting or delivery member when the bottle is picked up from a slide. In Figure 13 the slides are indicated at 98 and although they are of channel shape, they are of materially greater height than the height ofthe slides shown in Figure 5. In Figure 13 the lift ing or delivery members are in the form of small patlforms 99 of circular contour and which engage with the bottom of a bottle 100 for lifting it in a vertical direction to be dis- Y charged through the opening 8' formed in the top 8 of the housing. The opening 8' is normally closed by a hinged door 8". Opposing the inner side of the conveyor is a bottle guide 101, of tubular form and which has an entrance opening 102' at its bottom. The upper part of the guide 101 is bent in a curvilinear manner as at 102 to extend partly' over the upper part of the conveyor. The part 102 is slotted as at 103 for the passage of the platforms 99. The front of the housing is closed.

The slides 98 are provided with inwardly extending flanges 105 at the top and bottom thereof. The flanges 105 retain the bottles within the slides. The guide 101 is slotted lengthwise to provide a clearance for the connection between member 99 and conveyor 33', as at 106. Otherwise than as stated the form shown in Figure 13 is the same as that shown in Figure 1.

The receptacle 57 has its front formed with anentrance opening for the removal of a collector 105 for the coins and which is normally closed by a latched closure 105.

The conveyors are positioned to travel in close proximity to the lower ends of the slides to prevent the bottles passing therefrom until a delivery or lifting member removes a bottle from a slide.

It is thought the many advantages of a combined storing, cooling and vending apparatus, in accordance with this invention, for bottled beverages or other articles of merchandise can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiments of the invention are as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1 A vending apparatus comprising a plurality of upstanding channel shaped slides for the reeeption of the articles to be vended, said slides curving lengthwise thereof and having their lower portions directed forwardly, delivery mechanisms corresponding in number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor associated with the lower end of a slide for successively delivering articles discharged from such lower end, an independent driving means forand supporting the upper end of each conveyor, a common operating means for said several driving means, and means for adjustablv positioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said driving means independent of the others.

2. A vending apparatus comprising a pinrality of upstanding channel shaped slides for the reception of the articles to be vended, said slides curving lengthwise thereof and having their lower portions directed forwardly, delivery mechanisms corresponding in number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor associated with the lower end of a slide for successively delivering articles discharged from such lower end, an independent driving means for and supporting the upper end of each conveyor, a common operating means for said several driving means, and means for adjustably positioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said driving means independent of the others, the said several driving means arranged concentrically relative to each other and successive- 'said slides their lower portions directed forwardly, de-

livery mechanisms corresponding in number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor associated with the lower end of a slide for successively delivering articles discharged from such end, an independent driving means for and supporting the upper end of each conveyor, a common operating means for said several driving means and acting on one end of the several driving means, and means for adjustably positioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said driving means independent of the others.

4. A vending apparatus comprisin a plurality of upstanding channel shaped slides for the-reception of the articles to be vended, said slides curving lengthwise and having their lower portions directed forwardly, de-

livery mechanisms corresponding in number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor as.

sociated with the lower end of a slide for successively delivering articles discharged from such end, an independent driving means for and supporting the upper end of each conveyor, a common operating means for said several driving means and acting on one end of the said several driving means, and means for adjustably positioning said operatlng means to selectively operate one of said driving means independent of the others, the said several driving means arranged concentrical- 1y relative to each other and successively decreasing in length from theinner to the outer thereof.

5. A vending apparatus comprising a plurality of upstanding channel shaped slides for the reception of the articles to be vended, said slides curving lengthwise and having their lower portions directed forwardly, delivery mechanisms corresponding in number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor associated with the lower end of a slide for successively delivering articles discharged from such end, an independent driving means for and supporting the upper end of each conveyor, a common operating means for said several driving means and acting on one endof the several driving means, means for adjustably positioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said driving means independent of the others, and a controllable latching means for said operating means.

6. A vending apparatus comprising a plurality of upstanding channel shape slides for the reception of the articles to be vended, said slides curving lengthwise and havlng theirlower portions directed forwardly, delivery mechanisms corresponding in number 'to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor associated with the lower end of a slide for successively delivering articles discharged from such end, an independent driving means for and supporting the upper end of each conveyor, a common operating means for said several driving means and acting on one end of the said several driving means, means for adjustably xpositioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said drivingmeans independent of the others, the said several driving arranged concentrically relative to each other and successively decreasing in length from the inner to the outer thereof, and a controllable latching means for said operating means.

7 A vending a paratus comprisin ralit of upstan ing channel sha e slides for the reception of the articles to lEe vended, said slides curving lengthwise thereof and having their lower portions directed forwardly, deliverymechamsms correspondingin number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor associated with the lower end of a slide for successively delivering articles discharged from such lower end, an independent driving means for and supporting the upper end of each conveyor, a common operating means for said several driving means, means for adj ustably positioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said driving means independent of the others, a housing common to said slides, mechanisms and a part of said several driving means, said housing formed with a delivery opening, and an article receiving and directing member extending through said opening and receiving the articles from the upper ends of the conveyors.

8. A vending apparatus comprising a plu rality of upstanding channel sha ed slides for the reception of the articles to e vended, said slides curving lengthwise thereof and having their lower portions directed forwardly, delivery mechanisms corresponding in number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor associated with the lower end of a slide for successively delivering articles discharged from such lower end, an independent drivin means for and supporting the upper end of each conveyor, a common operating means for said several driving means, means for adjustably positioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said driva plu ing means independent of the others, a housing common to said slides, mechanisms and a part of said several driving means, said housing formed with a delivery opening, and an article receiving and directing member extending through said opening and receiving the articles from the upper ends of the conveyor, the said several driving means arranged concentrically relative to each other and successively decreasing in length from the inner to the outer thereof.

9. A vending apparatus comprising a housing having a delivery opening, a plurality of upstanding, channel. shaped slides for the reception of'the articles to be vended, said slides arranged in the housing, curving lengthwlse and having their lower portions directed forwardly, delivery mechanisms within the housing and corresponding in number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor associated with the lower end of a slide for successively delivering articles discharged from said end,

an independent driving means for and supporting the upper end of each conveyor, said means positioned within and extending from said housing, a common operating means for said several driving means arranged exteriorly of the housing, means arranged exteriorly of the housing for adjustably positioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said driving means independent of the others, each of said conveyors including article carriers, an article receiving and directing member extending through said opening and receiving the articles from the upper ends of the conveyors, and said slides provided with clearances for said carriers.

10. A vending apparatus comprising a housing formed at its upper portion with a delivery opening, an article directing member associated with said opening, a plurality of upstanding, channel shaped slides for the reception of the articles to be vended, said slides positioned within said housing, curving lengthwise and having their lower portions directed forwardly, the upper ends of the slides positioned at the rear of the housing, delivery mechanisms arranged in the housing at the front thereof and corresponding in number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor having its lower portion positioned in proximity to the lower ends of the slides for successively delivering ar ticles discharged from the lower end of the slide, an independent driving means for and supporting the upper portion of each conveyor, said driving means arranged within and extending from the housing, a common operating means for said several driving means positioned exteriorly of the housing, means arranged within and operated from the exterior of the housing for adjustably positioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said driving means independent of the others.

11. A vending apparatus comprising a. housing formed at its upper portion with a delivery opening, an article directing member associated with said opening, a plurality of upstanding, channel shaped slides for the reception of the articles torbe vended, said slides positioned within said housing, curving lengthwise and having their lower portions directed forwardly, the upper ends of the slides positioned at the rear of the housing, delivery mechanisms arranged in the housing at the front thereof and corresponding in number to the number of the slides and each including a vertically disposed endless conveyor having its lower portion positioned in proximity to the lower ends of the slides for successively delivering articles discharged from the lower ends of the slides, an independent driving means for and supporting the upper portion of each conveyor, said driving means arranged within and extending from the housing, a common operating means for said several driving means positioned exteriorly of the housing, means arranged within and operated from the exterior of the housing for adjustably positioning said operating means to selectively operate one of said driving means independent of the others, and a latching mechanism for said operating means.

12. A vending apparatus comprising a closed housing having a delivery opening upstanding channel shaped slides arranged therein for the reception of the articles to be vended, said slides curving lengthwise and having the lower portions thereof directed toward the front of the housing, endless, travelling article delivery mechanisms of a number corresponding to the number of the slides and each having its lower portion acting to arrest the discharge of an article from the lower end of a slide, each mechanism including article carriers for picking up and transporting an article upwardly from the lower end of a slide to the delivery opening, a rotatable, independent driving means for each mechanism, a common operating means for said several driving means, means mounted on the housing and having an adjusting connection for said operating means for selectively positioning it to operate one of said mechanisms independent of the others, and a refrigerant container suspended from the top of the housing over said slides.

13. A vending apparatus comprising a closed housing having a delivery opening, upstanding channel shaped slides arranged therein for the reception of the articles to be vended, said slides curving len thwise and having the lower portions thereof directed towards the front of the housing, endless, travelling article delivery mechanisms of a number corresponding to the number of the slides and each having its lower portion acting to arrest the discharge of an article from the lower end of a slide, each mechanism including article carriers for picking up and transporting an article upwardlyirom the lower end of a slide to the delivery opening, a rotatable, independent driving means for each mechanism, a common operating means for said several driving means, means mounted on the housmg an having an ad ust1ng connection for said operating means for selectively positioning it to operate one of said mechanisms independent of the others, the top of the housing having an opening, a hinged lid for closing the latter, and an open top refrigeran t container suspended from said top below said lid and over said slides.

14. A vending apparatus comprising a closed housing having a delivery opening, upstanding channel shaped slides arranged therein for the reception of the articles to be vended, said slides curving'lengthwise and having the lower portions thereof directed toward the front of the housing, endless, travelling article delivery mechanisms of a number corre onding to the number of the slides and each aving its lower portion acting to arrest the discharge of an article from the lower end of a slide, each mechanism including article carriers for pickin up and transporting an articleupwardly rom the'lower end of a slide to the delivery opening, a rotatable, independent driving means for each mechanism, a common operating means for said several drivin means, means mounted on the housing and' liaving an adjusting connection for said operating means for selectively positioning it to operate one of said mechanisms inde endent of the others.

'In testimony w ereof I aflix my signature.

CLYDE A. BUTLER. 

